Google alerted me to this story:
Controversy is surrounding a popular general store in Lancaster County because of its decision to not sell American flags.
A number of viewers have contacted News 8 about this decision, wondering if it was true.
News 8 asked employees of Good’s Store about the decision. They said that the owners are of the Anabaptist faith, which includes Mennonites and Amish. Their beliefs follow the teachings of love your enemies and non-violence.
But that statement is not good enough for some of Good’s customers, like Mary Elen Rice, of Holtwood.
She thinks that Good’s should sell the flags no matter what the owners believe.
“They were persecuted from wherever they came from for their religious beliefs. So, they came here for their freedom,” said Rice. “So, they should be proud to be an American, and the flag represents America as far as I’m concerned.”
Rice said that she vows not to shop at Good’s again.
The owners said that they accept any consequences of their faith and respect other people’s viewpoints, but they will not sell the flag.
I strongly and heartily and publicly commend Good’s Stores for their stance on this issue.
I have a question for them, though. The story above is headlined this way by WGAL: Local General Store Stops Sale Of American Flags.
To the folks at Good’s — Is that headline accurate? Having formerly sold American flags, have you discontinued selling them? (Maybe they will reply in the comments below!)
It says this when I was just at the article:
Local Store Decides To Not Sell American Flags
So, maybe they never have. ?? If they never have, why are people upset about it now? Some of those comments are something else.
I would be happy to support them, but I live nowhere near. Maybe if we ever head out that way.
Thanks for the update, Kim. Too bad I didn’t think to get a screen capture of the former headline. 😆
The headline you cite still sounds like it’s a recent decision. Oh well. 😉
Now to see how long before Google search results change to the new headline. 😀 Interestingly, right now this blog post is ranking #8 in the above search! And the news story itself doesn’t show up in the top ten.
As an employee of Goods, (although not someone specifically authorized to comment on this) I can verify that Goods has never sold Amerian Flags. The title of the WGAL story is misleading. In fact, neither is it the first time this has become “news”. See this article from 2001 http://articles.latimes.com/2001/oct/13/local/me-56782
Thank you, Tony!
Thanks for posting. I was eager to see what replies might have popped up since I was last here. I appreciate the stand your store takes.
Why does Goods Store sell other items they find are wrong, such as bathing suits, Cowboy hats, certain Christmas decorations, books on “positive thinking”, books on mother’s working outside the home, Disney material, such as Tinkerbell, so where is the American Flag?
We live in a free country. Free to express and hold dear whatever belief we want. If that means you choose not to sell a certain product in your store, so be it. What would our founding fathers think about you folks wanting to force a store owner to sell something in their store that violates their principles? I am as ardent a patriot as anyone, and I proudly fly the Stars and Stripes. However, if you do not, that is your choice, and nobody should be made to. That would be un-American!
Those are good points, Jason. (Of course, you already knew that. 😉 ) Thanks for your comments.
Anabaptist are some of the most selfish and uncaring people I have ever met. I too have the Freedom of speech.
I apologize,I should not have said that .